“Just so you know”

The phrase “just so you know” has started to drive me crazy. When someone prefaces, or ends a statement with “just so you know”, I usually don’t get the impression that he or she actually means “there is benefit to you solely in the act of hearing what I am telling you”. Unfortunately, the impression I usually get is that the person is telling me something in order to influence me to take an action that he/she wants me to take. If the statement is purely informational, and the benefit to me lies solely in hearing it, then there is no need to add “just so you know.”

The real problem, though, seems to be when the statement itself is purely informational, and in no way conveys what action the speaker intends for me to take, but the expectation of action is still there. Then I feel like I should say something like “what do you want me to do with that information?”, which seems quite socially inept and rude, but that’s sure what I’m thinking. Of course, the answer would probably be something like “nothing, it’s just so you know.” Argh.

I really hope that “just so you know” is just another fad phrase, like “you know”, and “so” and that it goes out of vogue soon. Just so you know. Sorry couldn’t resist

On a useless side note, I don’t think I’ve ever written a blog post with that many double quotes in it.